Canned or fresh: The great cranberry sauce debate
Published Date: 11/21/2021
Source: axios.com
Data: Instacart; Map: Sara Wise/Axios; Illustrations: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Americans are divided over whether to have fresh or canned cranberry sauce at their Thanksgiving table, according to data from Instacart.

By the numbers: Fresh cranberry sauce has a slight edge, winning 26 states to canned cranberries' 24 states.


  • Mississippians are 22.3% more likely to buy canned cranberry sauce compared to the national average. Iowans are 70.6% more likely to buy fresh cranberries.

Of note: The top four states for cranberry production — Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Oregon — are split on cranberry preferences, according to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center.

  • Wisconsinites and Oregonians lean toward fresh berries. Massachusetts and New Jersey residents prefer canned cranberries.